I have this great friend; she's like a sister to me, which is why I refer to her that way often in conversation. She is also the mother of twins...two boys, preteens. She is a great listener and very supportive, in a way that only another mother of multiples can be. But she also gives the best advice. A few years ago, she told me a story about how they were handling the insane commercialization of Christmas and presents at her house. Basically, Jesus received three presents for Christmas, and you shouldn't ask for anything more than that. I recently decided to take her idea and teach my kids. They have been studying about all the things that God created. This is part of the conversation that took place:
Me: Did you all know that God had a son?
Lola: What his name, Mom?
Me: His name is Jesus.
Bear: That a weird name.
Lola: Jesus (sounding more like she was preaching...Je-Sus!) I wike that.
Me: Okay, Well, He was born on Christmas day.
Lola: Did they have a birthday party, with hats and balloons?
Me: No, but people did come to see Him and some brought presents.
Bear: What day bring?
Me: Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh
Bear: Fur?
Me: No, myrrh!
Bear: Like fur on a puppy dog?
Me: No, myrrh!!!
Lola: Dose, no sound like fun presents.
Bear: Me tink Jesus no have fun wit dose presents.
Me: He was a baby, and they were very special gifts.
Lola: I hope Santa don't bring me no fur.
Bear: Yeah, me too. I want a bike. Jesus would have fun wit a bike. Next time, he should tell Santa.
Love to be a fly on the wall at preschool when they repeat this as they begin their studies of Christmas and Jesus in the next few weeks!
But, they did get my point that at Christmas we should not focus on all the stuff we want to "get" but focus on what we can give and do for others....sort of....Bear asked later, "Mommy, we still get twee presents right? And no fur!"
